Shahbaz Nadeem’s five-for goes in vain as West Indies A's spirited batting display forces a draw
West Indies ‘A’ batted out an entire day while chasing an improbable target set by India A as three batsmen scored half-centuries to brave through against a clinical bowling attack. Nadeem’s five wickets meant he ended the series as India’s leading wicket-taker in the unofficial Test series.
West Indies ‘A’ avoided a clean sweep by their Asian visitors in some fashion as they showed tremendous determination to keep their wickets secure and end the final unofficial Test match in an entertaining draw.
Starting the day at 37 for no loss with openers Montcin Hodge and Jeremy Solozano on the crease, they were chasing a mammoth target of 373. Shubman GIll had on the previous day become the country’s youngest-ever cricketer to score a double century outside the subcontinent, while Hanuma Vihari lent him support with a sturdy century as the two set their team up perfectly for the victory.
However, once Hodge fell to Nadeem with 68 up on the board, India struggled to find the wickets as the top order piled on the runs. Solozano and Brandon King set up a stand of 99 runs for the second wicket before the latter was bowled by Nadeem for 77 that came off just 84 balls. His innings was laced with 10 boundaries and three sixes.
Next in, Sunil Ambris carried on the momentum, building up a 60-run partnership with Solozano who was unfortunate to narrowly miss out on a century. The opener got out for 92 but more importantly having faced 251 balls to steer his team towards safety. Soon after, Ambris completed his half-century after having missed out by seven runs in the first inning, taking his team closer and closer to the shore.
A late surge by Nadeem saw him pick up three wickets in quick succession, with the scalp of Ambris when he was on 69 completing his five-wicket haul. However, it was too late by then, as Yannic Cariah and Raymon Reifer played out the remaining few balls to draw the match with four wickets to spare and 59 runs shy of the target.
The match marked the conclusion of a long Carribean tour for the Indians, albeit it was a successful one. They left the country having won the one-day series 4-1 and two of the three four-day matches.